Lockbacks and Slipjoints - Which is more traditional??

richstag

richstag

Joined
Feb 22, 2007
Messages
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This question just popped into my head and I figured I could not ask a better group of friends to find the answer.

Kevin
 
Imo (!!) - I let me educate me a very better way - Slipjoints come from friction folders. They were know from the medival times. A slipjoint is a friction folder with an added backspring and some pins.

To build a lockback, you need a backspring and a notch on the tang / root of the blade (as we call it in Germany) getting the blade fixacted. The backspring needs to be flexible to let the notch on the tang get in there. This means more mechanic.

Slippies are more traditional imo.

Kind regards
Andi
 
I think which was first and which is more traditional are separate questions. In my opinion, this Walden Knife Co (1870-1923) lockback is no less traditional than this Remington UMC (1924-1933) slipjoint.

lockback-split-spring2.jpg


img644.jpg
 
Jake, you´re right about the history on lockbacks - the Mercator is already made the same way since 1867 for example. But imo more traditional is the slipjoint ;)

Kind regards
Andi
 
I have perhaps an odd take on this, as in my mind a lock back is just a slightly refined slip joint...both have cut tangs to accommodate a spring, or in the case of the lock back a lockbar...both employ a spring...both are held open by a mechanical means...both employ a pin in the middle to allow flex, or pivot action of the locking mechanism ( slip joints are held open by spring tension) ...mechanically their actions really aren't much different from one another.
 
Humppa said:
Imo (!!) - I let me educate me a very better way - Slipjoints come from friction folders. They were know from the medival times. A slipjoint is a friction folder with an added backspring and some pins.
Click to expand...

Actually, from even longer ago than that. They were used from the beginning of the Iron Age, at least 2,500 years ago.

Romans even had their versions of "multitools" or SAK.

romanswissarmyknife.jpg
 
I´ve already seen this pic. But it seemed, that it was not very cummon in that times - not many were found. But the regular friction folder was used during medival times already by farmers and craftman. For sure, the great eastern cultures (china, japan) might have another history in this kind of knives.

Kind regards
Andi
 
CWL said:
Actually, from even longer ago than that. They were used from the beginning of the Iron Age, at least 2,500 years ago.

Romans even had their versions of "multitools" or SAK.

romanswissarmyknife.jpg
Click to expand...

I think it's very likely that the source is inaccurate. Here are BRL's remarks:

bernard_levine said:
I would really like to know how the museum dated this thing to Roman times.

Maybe it was listed under "Romany" on ebay? Or "Rum"?

Several of the commentors to the Guardian story mentioned the eating fork as a clue the thing is relatively recent.

They were talking about post 7th century, which made me chuckle.

Post 17th is more like it.

I wonder if they noticed that little stamp that says MADE IN OCCUPIED ILLYRIA.

BRL...
Click to expand...
 
"Traditional" is a relative term. 100 years from now an axis lock or Spydie hole might be traditional for most folks. ;)
 
Hi Jake!

Yes, maybe in 100 years an axis lock might be traditional - but then our (traditional) knives are ancient, maybe ;) but now we´re getting OT.

Kind regards
Andi
 
Thank you guys!

I was looking for timeline and personal thoughts :)

I appreciate the awesome feedback.
 
Humppa said:
I´ve already seen this pic. But it seemed, that it was not very cummon in that times - not many were found. But the regular friction folder was used during medival times already by farmers and craftman. For sure, the great eastern cultures (china, japan) might have another history in this kind of knives.

Kind regards
Andi
Click to expand...

I agree that that "SAK" knife is an abnormality and not a "commoner's knife (whatever the date of manufacture), but the fact still is that folding knives have been around since the Iron Age. Commoners have been using them "off and on" since their introduction.

Here's what an early folder (clasp knife) looked like, alongside a modern reproduction.

Roman_pocket_knife_Roman_Gellep_Germany.jpg
 
I had my slipjoint boyscout knife a few years before my lockback Silver Knight, so slipjoints are more traditional. :p
 
supratentorial said:
"Traditional" is a relative term. 100 years from now an axis lock or Spydie hole might be traditional for most folks. ;)
Click to expand...

I think for some, it already is. 'Traditional' is completely subjective to the individual and what they've come to know in their own history. I'm certain there are some members here, younger than a certain age, who've never seen or handled anything without a stud or hole in the blade, a liner or frame lock, and black synthetic handles. Makes me feel old, knowing some people can't even conceive of a time before cell phones, digital cameras, remote controls for TVs, or microwave ovens. :(
 
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